Marine Mammals Research Association (DMAD) under the agreement signed with ACCOBAMS (Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans in the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and contiguous Atlantic area) will be running a brand-new training course to qualify individuals as Marine Mammal Observers and operators of Passive Acoustic Monitoring systems with ACCOBAMS and JNCC certifications. There will be a limited number of subsidised positions for Turkish students and early-career researchers, and these will be offered on a first come, first served basis.
When: 17th to 25th June 2023/ Where: Fethiye, Turkey/ Price*: €550-900 (Table 1)*
The ACCOBAMS qualification qualifies people to work as MMOs/PAM operators throughout the Mediterranean and Black Sea in 24 countries, where it is the agreed course requirement for such work. After the course, The ACCOBAMS highly qualified MMO/PAM operators will be able to work to minimize the impact of noise on cetaceans, by applying the knowledge, expertise and skills acquired during the training course, and to use the standard procedures, forms and manuals, in accordance with the ACCOBAMS principles.
MMO&PAM operator Patrick Lyne, DMAD founder and director Dr. Aylin Akkaya
Graduated/current student in biology or ecology or have experience that demonstrates a commitment to the environment and its conservation.
Minimum 30 days-at-sea as a marine observer (with references/records )
Basic knowledge to recognize the different species and understand the behaviour of animals at sea
Basic knowledge on sound
Ability to communicate in English
Introduction to underwater acoustics
Introduction to marine mammals and acoustics
Introduction to human activities generating underwater noise and impacts on marine mammals
Introduction to existing regulations, mitigation procedures and ACCOBAMS Guidelines
Introduction to the role of MMO/PAM
Introduction to the “life style” onboard
Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map the acoustic and visual sightings.
Using PAM for survey and research
Introduction to hardware used for PAM
Hands on training with PAMGUARD
Tips and troubleshooting.
Table 1. Price List for different course options
*Price covers the training and certificates
*Accommodation and transportation cost belongs to the participant
*There will be one day of boat-based training where there is a strong chance of sperm whales’ encounters that allows you to practice your learned skills during the course.
The Application Steps and The Deadlines;
First Step: Application deadline 15.05.2023
Second Step: Assessment of the Applicants between 16.05.2023-21.05.2023
Third Step: Informing Successful Applicant 22.05.2023 (Due to the workload we will only inform the successful candidates, if you not sure please don’t hesitate to contact us)
Payment of the Course Fee by 01.06.2023
Start of the Course 17.06.2023
End of the Course 25.06.2023
Please contact us at info@dmad.org.tr expressing your interest or and we will send you an application form. Or if you have any further questions you can contact us on this address too.